Creating a sense of belonging with your teams
- Karen Braddy Lambert
- Mar 1, 2021
- 2 min read
Brene Brown has always been a great voice for me. She said:
“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”
Our relationship with others is based on how we meet them, greet them and how we take them along in the transformation journey. You break through walls and barriers by showing others the way. You may not be perfect. And that is OK. You are learning with them.
Belonging is a deliberate process to include your teams actively in the work you do. You need to be inclusive. You need to involve all your team members including the quieter voices.
Leaders looking at any enterprise transformation need to pay attention to a few areas.
Wide network - Network and ensure your teams reflect diversity. Manage bias not just with hiring but with how you are guiding the work.
Be you and keep it safe - The concept of safety is very important. If your team members don't feel confident speaking up there is an issue. The team needs to feel safe and respected.
Clear requests - Make your requests clear. Pick up the phone if you are getting into several levels of asks.
Transparency - Be sure to gauge where you are going. If you change direction say so and always with the Why. Be open when you need help. You don't need to know it all.
Authenticity - If you don't do what you say your teams will see through this.
You know this - As you rise through the levels and start leading leaders, you also need to set the tone for the leaders working with you. This is a circle you create with your teams and their leaders. They reflect you. They are you.
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